In a surprising turn of events, Indian cricket stalwart Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket amid the ongoing IPL 2025 season. The decision comes just weeks before the high-profile Test series against England, making the timing all the more unexpected. Rohit shared the announcement via Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support he received during his time in whites. While this marks the end of his red-ball journey, Rohit assured fans that his cricketing story is far from over, as he will continue to don the Indian jersey in One Day Internationals. With this decision, Rohit transitions into a single-format player, focusing solely on ODIs.
Rohit’s Test career began in 2013 against the West Indies, and he made an immediate impact by scoring centuries in his first two games. Despite this dream debut, consistency eluded him in the early stages of his red-ball career. Frequent injuries and a crowded middle order saw Rohit in and out of the squad for several years. Notably, after a fantastic World Cup campaign in 2019, he was controversially left out of the Test series that followed. However, his comeback later that year proved transformative, especially after he was promoted to open the innings — a move that revitalized his Test career and brought about a wave of solid performances.
In early 2022, following Virat Kohli’s resignation, Rohit Sharma was appointed as the captain of India’s Test team. While the side initially flourished under his leadership, the latter part of his tenure saw mixed results. Series losses at home against New Zealand and away against Australia raised eyebrows. Rohit’s personal form also dipped, leading him to opt out of several key Tests. During his absence, pacer Jasprit Bumrah filled in as captain and is now expected to take over the role permanently. Bumrah’s elevation as the new face of Indian Test leadership seems imminent, especially with the upcoming England series on the horizon.
With T20Is already in his rearview mirror following India’s World Cup 2025 win, and now Test cricket behind him, Rohit’s sole focus will be on ODIs. Given his pedigree and leadership, especially in ICC tournaments, this decision is strategic. Rohit has long been one of the most dependable ODI batters in the world, known for his ability to build innings and accelerate with ease. His continued presence in the ODI setup will not only bolster the team’s batting order but also provide leadership and stability to a relatively younger squad. As India looks toward the 2027 ODI World Cup, Rohit’s experience could prove invaluable.
Rohit Sharma’s cricketing legacy transcends formats. From being one of the few players to score three double centuries in ODIs to evolving into a reliable Test opener and leading India to multiple significant victories, his contributions are immense. His decision to retire from Tests marks the beginning of the final stretch of his international career, and it’s one that fans and critics alike will be watching closely. While India prepares for new leadership in red-ball cricket, Rohit’s continued presence in ODIs offers a blend of experience, leadership, and unmatched skill that remains crucial to Indian cricket’s success.
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Source – thesportstak.com
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